Determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine in human hair by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection

Aptamer-modified carbon nanomaterial based sorption coupled to paper spray ion mobility spectrometry for highly sensitive and selective determination of methamphetamine

A cellulose paper was modified with an aptamer against methamphetamine on either carbon dots (CDs) or on multichannel carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The resulting sorbent was applied to the extraction of METH from blood or saliva. The METH-loaded paper than also was directly applied as a paper spray ionization source in ion mobility spectrometry. The carbon nanomaterial enhances sensitivity, and the aptamer enhances selectivity. The materials were covalently bound to the paper on one side, while the aptamer was immobilized on the other. After optimization of the extraction process and instrumental parameters, the limits of detection when using the aptamer-CNT modified paper are 0.6 ng·mL^-1 for saliva, and 0.45 ng·mL^-1 for plasma. The respective values when using aptamer-CD modified paper are 1.5 ng·mL^-1 for saliva and 0.9 ng·mL^-1 for plasma. Calibration plots are linear in the 2 to 150 ng·mL^-1 METH concentration range for saliva, and in the 1.5 to 200 ng·mL^-1 concentration ranges for blood when using the aptamer-CNT based method. When using the aptamer-CDs, the dynamic ranges extend from 5 to 200 ng·mL^-1 and from 3 to 250 ng·mL^-1, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of METH in real samples of saliva and blood, and the accuracy of the method was confirmed by comparison of the results with data analyzed by GC-MS. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

G-quadruplex–hemin DNAzyme molecular beacon probe for the detection of methamphetamine

In this work, a simple, cost-effective, and label-free biosensor was constructed for methamphetamine (METH) detection.

Quantitative analysis of methamphetamine in hair of children removed from clandestine laboratories--evidence of passive exposure?

In New Zealand many children have been removed from clandestine laboratories following Police intervention. In the last few years it has become standard procedure that these children have hair samples taken and these samples are submitted to the laboratory for analysis. There are various mechanisms for the incorporation of drugs into hair. The hair follicle has a rich blood supply, so any drug that may be circulating in the blood can be incorporated into the growing hair. Another mechanism is via external contamination, such as spilling a drug on the hair or through exposure to fumes or vapours. Hair samples were analysed for methamphetamine and amphetamine. From the 52 cases analysed 38 (73%) were positive for methamphetamine (>0.1 ng/mg) and amphetamine was detected in 34 of these cases. In no case was amphetamine detected without methamphetamine. The hair washes (prior to extraction) were also analysed (quantified in 30 of the positive cases) and only 3 had a wash to hair ratio of >0.1 (all were <0.5), which may be indicative of a low level of external contamination. This low level of evidence of external contamination suggests that the children are exposed to methamphetamine and are incorporating it into the hair through the blood stream.

Bioanalytical issues in patient-friendly sampling methods for therapeutic drug monitoring: focus on antiretroviral drugs

Therapeutic drug monitoring is a way to pharmacokinetically guide drug therapy to assure a certain exposure to a drug when this exposure is related to treatment effectiveness or toxicity. Routinely, drug concentrations are measured in plasma obtained by venipuncture. However, venous sampling is difficult in some populations, such as neonates and patients suffering from phlebitis, and there may be logistical challenges, for example when nonhospital-based sampling is warranted (e.g., resource-limited settings). A proper bioanalytical method is crucial for measurements of drug level matrices suitable for patient-friendly drug monitoring. Special attention must be paid to bioanalytical methods in these patient-friendly matrices, since specific matrix-associated issues may have important implications. In this review, we will discuss these issues and give an overview of published bioanalytical methods with a focus on patient-friendly drug monitoring of antiretroviral drugs, where dried blood spots, hair and saliva have been the most important matrices for patient-friendly therapeutic drug monitoring. Furthermore, we will point out considerations for proper assay development and validation.

Validation of an analytical method for analysis of cannabinoids in hair by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry

The development of an analytical method for the determination of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) in samples of human hair is described. Samples were subjected to a procedure based on the combination of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with gas chromatography linked with mass spectrometry operating in tandem mode (GC-MS/MS). A 10 mg aliquot of sample was firstly decontaminated using petroleum ether, deionized water and dichloromethane (2 mL of each solvent), for 10 min under sonication, and then digested in alkaline solution (1 mol L(-1) NaOH). The method variables evaluated were pH, mass of hair, fiber type, extraction temperature, desorption time, ionic strength, pre-equilibrium time and extraction time. Parameters concerning operation of the tandem mode MS/MS were also assessed and optimized. Validation of the method demonstrated excellent linearity in the range 0.1-8.0 ng mg(-1), with regression coefficients better than 0.994. Precision was determined using two different concentrations (upper and lower limits of the linear range), and RSD values were between 6.6 and 16.4%. Absolute recoveries (measured in triplicate) were in the range 1.1-8.7%, and limits of detection and quantification were 0.007-0.031 ng mg(-1) and 0.012-0.062 ng mg(-1), respectively. The LOQ for THC (0.062 ng mg(-1)) was below the cut-off value (LOQ < or = 0.1 ng mg(-1)) established by the Society of Hair Testing (SOHT), the Society of Toxicological and Forensic Chemistry (STFCh) and the Société Française de Toxicologie Analytique (SFTA). The optimized SPME method was applied in analysis of hair samples from Cannabis drug users, showing that CBN and CBD were present in all samples analyzed.

Analytical pitfalls in hair testing

This review focuses on possible pitfalls in hair testing procedures. Knowledge of such pitfalls is useful when developing and validating methods, since it can be used to avoid wrong results as well as wrong interpretations of correct results. In recent years, remarkable advances in sensitive and specific analytical techniques have enabled the analysis of drugs in alternative biological specimens such as hair. Modern analytical procedures for the determination of drugs in hair specimens - mainly by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) - are reviewed and critically discussed. Many tables containing information related to this topic are provided.

Application of solid-phase microextraction in analytical toxicology

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a miniaturized and solvent-free sample preparation technique for chromatographic-spectrometric analysis by which the analytes are extracted from a gaseous or liquid sample by absorption in, or adsorption on, a thin polymer coating fixed to the solid surface of a fiber, inside an injection needle or inside a capillary. In this paper, the present state of practical performance and of applications of SPME to the analysis of blood, urine, oral fluid and hair in clinical and forensic toxicology is reviewed. The commercial coatings for fibers or needles have not essentially changed for many years, but there are interesting laboratory developments, such as conductive polypyrrole coatings for electrochemically controlled SPME of anions or cations and coatings with restricted-access properties for direct extraction from whole blood or immunoaffinity SPME. In-tube SPME uses segments of commercial gas chromatography (GC) capillaries for highly efficient extraction by repeated aspiration-ejection cycles of the liquid sample. It can be easily automated in combination with liquid chromatography but, as it is very sensitive to capillary plugging, it requires completely homogeneous liquid samples. In contrast, fiber-based SPME has not yet been performed automatically in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography. The headspace extractions on fibers or needles (solid-phase dynamic extraction) combined with GC methods are the most advantageous versions of SPME because of very pure extracts and the availability of automatic samplers. Surprisingly, substances with quite high boiling points, such as tricyclic antidepressants or phenothiazines, can be measured by headspace SPME from aqueous samples. The applicability and sensitivity of SPME was essentially extended by in-sample or on-fiber derivatization. The different modes of SPME were applied to analysis of solvents and inhalation narcotics, amphetamines, cocaine and metabolites, cannabinoids, methadone and other opioids, fatty acid ethyl esters as alcohol markers, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, benzodiazepines, various other therapeutic drugs, pesticides, chemical warfare agents, cyanide, sulfide and metal ions. In general, SPME is routinely used in optimized methods for specific analytes. However, it was shown that it also has some capacity for a general screening by direct immersion into urine samples and for pesticides and other semivolatile substance in the headspace mode.

Hair analysis for methamphetamine, ketamine, morphine and codeine by cation-selective exhaustive injection and sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography

We established a capillary electrophoretic method with high sensitivity and specificity for testing hair taken from addicts. After pretreatment of hair sample, the cation-selective exhaustive injection and sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography (CSEI-Sweep-MEKC) was used to test for the presence of abused drugs in human hair. These drugs include morphine (M), codeine (C), ketamine (K) and methamphetamine (MA). First, an uncoated fused-silica capillary (40 cm, 50 microm I.D.) was filled with phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 2.5) containing 30% methanol, followed by high conductivity buffer (100 mM phosphate, 6.9 kPa for 99.9 s). Electrokinetic injection (10 kV, 600 s) was used to load samples and to enhance sensitivity. Stacking steps and separations were performed at -20 kV with detection at 200 nm, using phosphate buffer (25 mM, pH 2.5) containing 20% methanol and 100 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate. Using CSEI-Sweep-MEKC, the analytes could be simultaneously analyzed and have a detection limit down to the level of picogram per milligram hair. During method validation, calibration plots were linear (r > or = 0.999) over a range of 0.15-80 ng/mg hair for MA and K, 0.3-30 ng/mg hair for C and 0.5-50 ng/mg hair for M. The limits of detection were 50 pg/mg hair for MA and K, 100 pg/mg hair for C and 200 pg/mg hair for M (S/N=3, sampling 600 s at 10 kV). Our method was applied for analysis of real hair samples taken from addicts. The addicts' specimens were also analyzed by LC-MS, and showed good coincidence of results. This method has proven feasible for application in detecting trace levels of abused drugs in forensic analysis.

Simultaneous determination of psychotropic phenylalkylamine derivatives in human hair by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of thirteen psychotropic phenylalkylamine derivatives (amphetamine; AP, phentermine; PT, methamphamine; MA, cathinone; Khat, methcathinone; MCAT, fenfluramine; FFA, desmethylselegiline; DSEL, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; MDA, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine; MDEA, norketamine; NKT, mescaline; MES, 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine; 2CB) in human hair. Hair samples (20 mg) were washed with distilled water and acetone, cut into small fragments (<1 mm), and incubated in 0.25 M methanolic HCl under ultrasonication at 50 degrees C for 1 h. The resulting solutions were evaporated to dryness, derivatized using trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) at 70 degrees C for 30 min, and analyzed by GC/MS. The linear ranges were 0.02-25.0 ng/mg for AP, PT, Khat, FFA, DSEL, MDMA, and 2CB; 0.05-25.0 ng/mg for MA, MCAT, and MES; 0.05-12.5 ng/mg for MDA; and 0.1-25.0 ng/mg for MDEA and NKT, with good correlation coefficients (r(2) > 0.9985). The intra-day, inter-day, and inter-person precisions were within 12.7%, 14.8%, and 16.8%, respectively. The intra-day, inter-day, and inter-person accuracies were between -10.7 and 13.4%, -12.7 and 11.6%, and -15.3 and 11.9%, respectively. The limits of quantifications (LOQs) for each compound were lower than 0.08 ng/mg. The recoveries were in the range of 76.7-95.6%. The method proved to be suitable for the simultaneous qualification and quantification of phenylalkylamine derivatives in hair specimens.

New trends in hair analysis and scientific demands on validation and technical notes

This review focuses on basic aspects of method development and validation of hair testing procedures. Quality assurance is a major issue in drug testing in hair resulting in new recommendations, validation procedures and inter-laboratory comparisons. Furthermore recent trends in research concerning hair analysis are discussed, namely mechanisms of drug incorporation and retention, novel analytical procedures (especially ones using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and alternative sample preparation techniques like solid-phase microextraction (SPME)), the determination of THC-COOH in hair samples, hair testing in drug-facilitated crimes, enantioselective hair testing procedures and the importance of hair analysis in clinical trials. Hair testing in analytical toxicology is still an area in need of further research.

State of the art in hair analysis for detection of drug and alcohol abuse

Hair differs from other materials used for toxicological analysis because of its unique ability to serve as a long-term storage of foreign substances with respect to the temporal appearance in blood. Over the last 20 years, hair testing has gained increasing attention and recognition for the retrospective investigation of chronic drug abuse as well as intentional or unintentional poisoning. In this paper, we review the physiological basics of hair growth, mechanisms of substance incorporation, analytical methods, result interpretation and practical applications of hair analysis for drugs and other organic substances. Improved chromatographic-mass spectrometric techniques with increased selectivity and sensitivity and new methods of sample preparation have improved detection limits from the ng/mg range to below pg/mg. These technical advances have substantially enhanced the ability to detect numerous drugs and other poisons in hair. For example, it was possible to detect previous administration of a single very low dose in drug-facilitated crimes. In addition to its potential application in large scale workplace drug testing and driving ability examination, hair analysis is also used for detection of gestational drug exposure, cases of criminal liability of drug addicts, diagnosis of chronic intoxication and in postmortem toxicology. Hair has only limited relevance in therapy compliance control. Fatty acid ethyl esters and ethyl glucuronide in hair have proven to be suitable markers for alcohol abuse. Hair analysis for drugs is, however, not a simple routine procedure and needs substantial guidelines throughout the testing process, i.e., from sample collection to results interpretation.

Application of solid-phase microextraction combined with derivatization to the determination of amphetamines by liquid chromatography

This work evaluates the utility of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in the analysis of amphetamines by liquid chromatography (LC) after chemical derivatization of the analytes. Two approaches have been tested and compared, SPME followed by on-fiber derivatization of the extracted amphetamines, and solution derivatization followed by SPME of the derivatives formed. Both methods have been applied to measure amphetamine (AP), methamphetamine (MA), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), using the fluorogenic reagent 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC) and carbowax-templated resin (CW-TR)-coated fibers. Data on the application of the proposed methods for the analysis of different kind of samples are presented. When analyzing aqueous solutions of the analytes, both approaches gave similar analytical performance, but the sensitivity attainable with the solution derivatization/SPME method was better. The efficiencies observed when processing spiked urine samples by the SPME/on-fiber derivatization approach were very low. This was because the extraction of matrix components into the fiber coating prevented the extraction of the reagent. In contrast, the efficiencies obtained for spiked urine samples by the solution derivatization/SPME approach were similar to those obtained for aqueous samples. Therefore, the later method would be the method of choice for the quantification of amphetamines in urine.

Determination of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and cocaethylene in human hair by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The present work describes a highly precise and sensitive method developed to detect cocaine (COC), benzoylecgonine (BE, its main metabolite) and cocaethylene (CE, transesterification product of the coingestion of COC with ethanol) in human head hair samples. The method was based on an alkylchloroformate derivatization of benzoylecgonine and the extraction of the analytes by solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify and quantify the analytes in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The limits of quantification and detection (LOQ and LOD) were: 0.1 ng/mg for COC and CE, and 0.5 ng/mg for BE. Good inter- and intra-assay precision was observed. The dynamic range of the assay was 0.1-50 ng/mg. The method is not time consuming and was shown to be easy to perform.

Rapid screening procedure based on headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the detection of many recreational drugs in hair

An increasing number of synthetic drugs are appearing on the illicit market and on the scene of drug use by youngsters. Official figures are underestimated. In addition, immunochemical tests are blind to many of these drugs and appropriate analytical procedures for routine clinical and epidemiological purposes are lacking. Therefore, the perceived increasing abuse of recreational drugs has not been proved yet. In a previous paper, we proposed a procedure for the preliminary screening of several recreational substances in hair and other biological matrices. Unfortunately, this procedure cannot apply to cocaine. Consequently, we performed a new headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) procedure for the simultaneous detection of cocaine, amphetamine (A), methamphetamine (MA), methylen-dioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylen-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylen-dioxyethamphetamine (MDE), N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (MBDB), ketamine, and methadone in human hair. Hair was washed with water and acetone in an ultrasonic bath. A short acid extraction with 1M hydrochloric acid was needed; the fiber was exposed to a 5 min absorption at 90 degrees C and thermal desorption was performed at 250 degrees C for 3 min. The procedure was simple, rapid, required small quantities of sample and no derivatization. Good linearity was obtained over the 0.1-20.0 ng/mg range for the target compounds. Sensitivity was good enough: limits of detection (LOD) were 0.7 ng/mg of hair for the majority of substances. The intra-day precision ranged between 7 and 20%. This paper deals with the analytical performance of this procedure and its preliminary application to hair samples obtained on a voluntary basis from 183 young people (138 males and 45 females) in the Rome area.

Use of solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography for the determination of residual solvents in pharmaceutical products

The aim of this work was to prove that solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography could be used for the determination and quantification of residual solvents in drugs. Four solvents were selected for the experiments: ethanol, cyclohexane, triethylamine and pyridine, together with a model powdered drug substance. Several kinds of fibers, together with the extraction mode, were evaluated to determine the most appropriate one for the simultaneous extraction of the four solvents. The most promising conditions were obtained with the Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane fiber in the headspace of the aqueous solution that contained the dissolved powder. A concentrated phosphate buffer was added to the aqueous solution to set the pH at 9.6 in order to enable good extraction of triethylamine, and the optimum extraction time was experimentally determined. A multi-criteria optimization was also carried out by means of design of experiments to optimize remaining parameters: the extraction temperature was set at 40 degrees C, the ionic strength at 1.77 mol (l-1) and the volume of the aqueous solution at 7.2 ml. The method of standard additions was used for quantitative analysis. Its performance was evaluated and validated: the pooled RSD was around 15%, the limits of detection were all of the ppb level and the method was both accurate and linear.

Analysis of methamphetamine and its metabolites in hair

Methamphetamine (MA) is a sympathomimetic amine whose abuse has become a serious problem in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries. The use of hair for the determination of MA use has become more commonplace. The maximum period in which MA and its main metabolites (amphetamine and p-hydroxymethamphetamine) can be detected in urine is about 10 days after its use. However, proof of MA use is possible in hair even several years after its use if the part of the hair that grew in the period of its use is available. In addition, segmental analysis of hair is capable of clarifying the history of MA abuse. This paper reviews the clean-up, extraction, analytical method and distribution of MA and its metabolites in hair from reports published in the last 20 years.

Application of tandem mass spectrometry combined with gas chromatography and headspace solid-phase dynamic extraction for the determination of drugs of abuse in hair samples

A new method combination, headspace solid-phase dynamic extraction coupled with gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HS-SPDE/GC/MS/MS), is introduced to determine drugs of abuse in hair samples. This highly automated procedure utilizes SPDE for pre-concentration and on-coating derivatization as well as GC and triple quadrupole MS/MS for selective and sensitive detection. All these steps, apart from washing and cutting of the hair samples, are performed without manual intervention on a robot-like autosampler.SPDE is a solventless extraction technique related to solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The analytes are absorbed from the sample headspace directly into a hollow needle with an internal coating of polydimethylsiloxane by repeated aspirate/dispense cycles.The HS-SPDE/GC/MS/MS procedure was applied to the analysis of methadone, the trimethylsilyl derivatives of cannabinoids and the trifluoroacetyl derivatives of amphetamines and designer drugs. The method was shown to be sensitive with detection limits between 6 and 52 pg/mg hair matrix and precision between 0.4 and 7.8% by the use of an internal standard technique. Linearity was obtained from 0.1-20 ng/mg with coefficients of correlation between 0.995 and 0.999. Compared with conventional methods of hair analysis, HS-SPDE/GC/MS/MS is easier to use, substantially faster, with the degree of sensitivity and reproducibility demanded in clinical and forensic toxicology. The main advantage of the SPDE technique in relation to SPME is the robustness of the capillary.

Simultaneous detection of amphetamine-like drugs with headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) procedure for the simultaneous detection of methylen-dioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylen-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylen-dioxyethamphetamine (MDE) and N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (MBDB) in hair has been developed. This method is suitable for the separation of primary and secondary amines, is reproducible, is not time consuming, requires small quantities of sample and does not require any derivatization. It provides sufficient sensitivity and specificity, with limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantitation (LOQ) for each substance of <0.7 and 1.90 ng/mg, respectively. Intra- and inter-day precision were within 2 and 10%, respectively. This method is suitable for routine clinical, epidemiological and forensic purposes and can be used for the preliminary screening of many other substances (amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine, ephedrine, nicotine, phencyclidine, methadone) in hair and other biological matrices such as saliva, urine and blood. We also describe the first application of this HS-SPME-GC-MS procedure to the analysis of hair and saliva samples from young people attending a disco in the Rome area. All positive hair samples were confirmed by the gas chromatography-mass-mass (GC-MS(2)) technique in positive chemical ionization (PCI) mode. Some examples of the use of the method in detecting different drugs are reported.

Analysis of fatty acid ethyl esters in hair as possible markers of chronically elevated alcohol consumption by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) are products of the nonoxidative ethanol metabolism, which are known to be detectable in blood only about 24h after the last alcohol intake. After deposition in hair they should be suitable long-term markers of chronically elevated alcohol consumption. Therefore, a method for the analysis of ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl oleate and ethyl stearate from hair was developed based on the extraction of the hair sample by a dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO)/n-hexane mixture, separation and evaporation of the n-hexane phase and application of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to the extract. For use as internal standards, the corresponding D(5)-ethyl esters were prepared. The HS-SPME/GC-MS measurements were automatically performed using a multi-purpose sampler. The detection limits of the FAEE were between 0.01 and 0.04ng/mg and the reproducibility was between 3.5 and 16%. By application of the method to hair samples of 21 fatalities with known heavy alcohol abuse 0.045-2.4ng/mg ethyl myristate, 0.35-13.5ng/mg ethyl palmitate, 0.25-7.7ng/mg ethyl oleate and 0.05-3.85ng/mg ethyl stearate were measured. For social drinkers (30-60g ethanol per week), the concentrations were about one order of magnitude smaller. For 10 teetotalers negative results or traces of ethyl palmitate were found. It was shown by supplementary investigations in single cases that FAEE are also present in sebum, that there is no strong difference in their concentrations between pubic, chest and scalp hair, and that they are detectable in hair segments after a 2 months period of abstinence. From the results follows that the measurement of FAEE concentrations in hair is a useful way for a retrospective detection of alcohol abuse.

New method of derivatization and headspace solid-phase microextraction for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of amphetamines in hair

A simple method for hair analysis of methamphetamine (MAMP) and amphetamine (AMP) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed using simultaneous headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with derivatization. After alkaline-digestion of hair, the analytes derivatized with heptafluoro-n-butyryl chloride were adsorbed on a polydimethylsiloxane-coated fiber by HS-SPME and analyzed by GC-MS. Their mass spectra were, respectively, observable at 1 ng per sample. The standard curves in the range of 0.1-100 ng were linear. The intra-day coefficients of variation at each 0.5 ng were 12.5% for AMP and 3.8% for MAMP. The applicability of this method was demonstrated in some case studies.

Determination of amphetamine in dog plasma by gas chromatography with mass selective detection

This paper describes the validation of an analytical method for the determination of amphetamine in beagle dog plasma by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). d-Amphetamine-d(6) was used as the internal standard. The method consisted of a rapid single-step liquid-liquid extraction and derivatization of amphetamine with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate, followed by sensitive GC-MS detection. This is the first report utilizing the combination of trichloroethyl chloroformate as a derivatization reagent and a deuterated amphetamine analog as an IS for the quantification of amphetamine in plasma. The method was validated in terms of specificity, curve fit, precision, accuracy, recovery and stability, and was acceptable according to FDA draft guidelines for validation of bioanalytical methods. The limit of detection was 0.65 ng/mL. The calibration range was 5-150 ng/mL. The validated method was successfully employed for the quantitation of amphetamine in dog plasma samples for pharmacokinetic profiling.

Highly sensitive analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine in human whole blood using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple and highly sensitive method for analysis of derivatized methamphetamine (MA) and amphetamine (AM) in whole blood was developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry electron impact ionization selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-EI-SIM). A whole blood sample, deuterated-MA (d(5)-MA), as an internal standard (IS), tri-n-propylamine and pentafluorobenzyl bromide were placed in a vial. The vial was heated and stirred at 90 degrees C for 30min. Then the extraction fiber of the SPME was exposed at 90 degrees C for 30min in the headspace of the vial while being stirred. The derivatives adsorbed on the fiber were desorbed by exposing the fiber in the injection port of a GC-MS. The calibration curves showed linearity in the range of 0.5-1000ng/g for both MA and AM. The time for analysis was about 80min per sample. In addition, this proposed method was applied to two autopsy cases where MA ingestion was suspected. In one case, MA and AM concentrations in the mixed left and right heart blood were 165 and 36.9ng/g, respectively. In the other case, MA and AM concentrations were 1.79 and 0.119 microg/g in the left heart blood, and 1.27 and 0.074 microg/g in the right heart blood, respectively.

Microextraction of drugs

This review will attempt to provide an overview as well as a theoretical and practical understanding of the use of microextraction technologies for drug analysis. The majority of the published reports to date focus on the use of fibre solid-phase microextraction and so the review is significantly focused on this technology. Other areas of microextraction such as single drop and solvent film microextraction are also described. Where there are insufficient examples in the literature to illustrate important concepts, examples of non-drug analyses are presented. The review is intended for readers new to the field of microextraction or its use in drug extraction, but also provides an overview of the most recent advances in the field which may be of interest to more experienced users. Particular emphasis is placed on the effect various sample matrices have on extraction characteristics.

Solid-phase trapping of solutes for further chromatographic or electrophoretic analysis

Because of its simplicity, speed and effectiveness, solid-phase extraction (SPE) has become the preferred technique for concentration of selected analytes prior to chromatographic or electrophoretic analysis. In this review the historical development of SPE is briefly traced. Then the principles of SPE are reviewed in some detail. Numerous references are given on the format, sorbents, elution conditions, online techniques and automation with special emphasis on relatively recent developments. The principles and recent advances in solid-phase microextraction (SPME) are also reviewed. The final section on selected recent applications includes an extensive list of references to work published within the last three years. Future trends and developments are discussed briefly.

Solid-phase microextraction in biomedical analysis

Chromatographic methods are preferred in the analysis of organic molecules with lower molecular mass (<500 g/mol) in body fluids, i.e., the assay of drugs, metabolites, endogenous substances and poisons as well as of environmental exposure by gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC), for example. Sample preparation in biomedical analysis is mainly performed by liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction. However, new methods are investigated with the aim to increase the sample throughput and to improve the quality of analytical methods. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was introduced about a decade ago and it was mainly applied to environmental and food analysis. All steps of sample preparation, i.e., extraction, concentration, derivatization and transfer to the chromatograph, are integrated in one step and in one device. This is accomplished by the intelligent combination of an immobilized extraction solvent (a polymer) with a special geometry (a fiber within a syringe). It was a challenge to test this novel principle in biomedical analysis. Thus, an introduction is provided to the theory of SPME in the present paper. A critical review of the first applications to biomedical analyses is presented in the main paragraph. The optimization of SPME as well as advantages and disadvantages are discussed. It is concluded that, because of some unique characteristics, SPME can be introduced with benefit into several areas of biomedical analysis. In particular, the application of headspace SPME-GC-MS in forensic toxicology and environmental medicine appears to be promising. However, it seems that SPME will not become a universal method. Thus, on-line SPE-LC coupling with column-switching technique may be a good alternative if an analytical problem cannot be sufficiently dealt with by SPME.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction procedures for gas chromatographic analysis of biological fluids and materials

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a new solventless sample preparation technique that is finding wide usage. This review provides updated information on headspace SPME with gas chromatographic separation for the extraction and measurement of volatile and semivolatile analytes in biological fluids and materials. Firstly the background to the technique is given in terms of apparatus, fibres used, extraction conditions and derivatisation procedures. Then the different matrices, urine, blood, faeces, breast milk, hair, breath and saliva are considered separately. For each, methods appropriate for the analysis of drugs and metabolites, solvents and chemicals, anaesthetics, pesticides, organometallics and endogenous compounds are reviewed and the main experimental conditions outlined with specific examples. Then finally, the future potential of SPME for the analysis of biological samples in terms of the development of new devices and fibre chemistries and its coupling with high-performance liquid chromatography is discussed.

Determination of methadone and its metabolites EDDP and EMDP in human hair by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple method for analysis of methadone and its two main metabolites EDDP and EMDP in hair was developed using automatic headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) at a multipurpose sampler and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact ionization and selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM). The washed hair pieces were digested in the closed headspace vial in 1 ml 1 M NaOH containing 0.5 g NaCl and each 10 ng of the internal standards D9-methadone and D3-EDDP at 110 degrees C for 20 min. Then the HS-SPME was performed with a 65 microm polydimethylsiloxan/ divinylbenzene fiber at the same temperature in the same vial for another 20 min followed by the desorption in the GC injection port. The calibration curves were linear between 0.1 and 3 ng/mg (methadone and EMDP) and 10 ng/mg (EDDP) respectively, at higher concentrations a negative deviation from linearity was found. The detection limits were 0.03 ng/mg (methadone) and 0.05 ng/mg (EDDP and EMDP), and the reproducibility was 9.2% for methadone and 11.2% for EDDP (n= 12). The method was applied to hair samples of 26 drug fatalities. 19 cases were positive with 0.36-11.8 ng/mg methadone and 0.19 -10.8 ng/mg EDDP. EMDP was found only in two cases with 0.18 and 0.84 ng/mg. The methadone concentration range was in agreement with previous data, but the EDDP/methadone concentration ratios (0.19-0.67) were definitely higher than those determined by other methods.

High-temperature solid-phase microextraction procedure for the detection of drugs by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

High-temperature headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with simultaneous ("in situ") derivatisation (acetylation or silylation) is a new sample preparation technique for the screening of illicit drugs in urine and for the confirmation analysis in serum by GC-MS. After extraction of urine with a small portion of an organic solvent mixture (e.g., 2 ml of hexane-ethyl acetate) at pH 9, the organic layer is separated and evaporated to dryness in a small headspace vial. A SPME-fiber (e.g., polyacrylate) doped with acetic anhydride-pyridine (for acetylation) is exposed to the vapour phase for 10 min at 200 degrees C in a blockheater. The SPME fiber is then injected into the GC-MS for thermal desorption and analysis. After addition of perchloric acid and extraction with n-hexane to remove lipids, the serum can be analysed after adjusting to pH 9 as described for urine. Very clean extracts are obtained. The various drugs investigated could be detected and identified in urine by the total ion current technique at the following concentrations: amphetamines (200 microg/l), barbiturates (500 microg/l), benzodiazepines (100 microg/l), benzoylecgonine (150 microg/l), methadone (100 microg/l) and opiates (200 microg/l). In serum all drugs could be detected by the selected ion monitoring technique within their therapeutic range. As compared to liquid-liquid extraction only small amounts of organic solvent are needed and larger amounts of the pertinent analytes could be transferred to the GC column. In contrast to solid-phase extraction (SPE), the SPME-fiber is reusable several times (as there is no contamination by endogenous compounds). The method is time-saving and can be mechanised by the use of a dedicated autosampler.

Solid-phase micro-extraction of drugs from biological matrices

Solid phase micro-extraction was originally designed as a technique for the solvent-free analysis of volatile organic contaminants in environmental samples. However, a wide variety of applications are now being pursued, including the analysis of drugs from a variety of matrices. In this review, the analysis of drugs by SPME from biological and related matrices, including water, urine, blood, hair and saliva, is discussed. A general overview of the special problems and techniques involved in SPME from biological matrices is presented, along with specific references and discussion of the analysis of many types of drugs and metabolites. It is seen that SPME is a highly versatile and flexible technique for these analyses.

Evidence for selectivity of absorption of volatile organic compounds by a polydimethylsiloxane solid-phase microextraction fibre

Solid-phase microextraction using a 30 microns polydimethylsiloxane fibre has been used to sample the volatile organic compounds from standard mixtures and from mixtures produced by the decomposition of organic compounds. This method of sampling has been compared with the direct injection of an aliquot of headspace gas and shows an enrichment factor of approximately 100 over a 1 ml gas injection for organosulphur gases such as dimethyldisulphide. The performance of the fibre has been evaluated with respect to accuracy and precision at several concentrations in representing the composition of multicomponent mixtures. It was found that the presence of a second component in a gas sample reduced the capacity of the fibre to absorb the primary component. The selectivity of the fibre for various volatile compounds with differing functionality was also studied. It was found that the non-polar polydimethylsiloxane fibre preferentially absorbed the non-polar components of a mixture, e.g. nonane and, correspondingly, under reported the more polar components, e.g. ethanol. Hence, the fibre discriminates in favour of non-polar and against polar components in a mixture in comparison with direct analysis of a headspace sample. Thus, quantitation of a component in a multi-component mixture is liable to error from competitive interference from other components. A major advantage of the technique, however, is that it does not absorb, and therefore introduce, water into the analytical system.

Simple and simultaneous analysis of fenfluramine, amphetamine and methamphetamine in whole blood by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after headspace-solid phase microextraction and derivatization

A simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous analysis of fenfluramine, amphetamine and methamphetamine in whole blood was developed using a headspace-solid phase microextraction (SPME) and derivatization. A 0.5 g whole blood sample, 5 microl d(5)-methamphetamine (50 micrig/ml) as an internal standard, and 0.5 ml sodium hydroxide (1 M) were placed into a 12 ml vial, and sealed rapidly with a silicone septum and an aluminum cap. Immediately after the vial was heated to 70 degrees C in an aluminium block heater, the needle of the SPME device was inserted through the septum of the vial, and the extraction fiber was exposed in the headspace for 15 min. First, heptafluorobutyric anhydride was injected into the injection port of the GC-MS, and the compounds extracted by the fiber were then desorbed and derivatized simultaneously by exposing the fiber in the injection port. The calibration curves, using an internal standard method, demonstrated good linearity throughout the concentration range from 0.01 to 1.0 microg/g. The detection limits of this method were 5.0 ng/g for fenfluramine and methamphetamine, and 10 ng/g for amphetamine. No interferences were found, and the time for analysis was about 30 min for one sample. This method was applied to a suicide case in which the victim ingested fenfluramine. Fenfluramine was detected in the blood sample collected from the victim at the concentration of 7.7 microg/g.

Use of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) in hair analysis for organic compounds

Headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) has advantages of high purity of the extract, avoidance of organic solvents and simple technical manipulation and can be used in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the hair analysis of a number of drugs. HS-SPME coupled with the hydrolysis of the hair matrix by 4% sodium hydroxide in the presence of excess sodium sulphate and of a suitable internal standard proved to be a convenient one-step method for the measurement of many lipophilic basic drugs such as nicotine, amphetamine derivatives, local anaesthetics, phencyclidine, ketamine, methadone, diphenhydramine, tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazines. Detection limits were between 0.05 and 1.0 ng/mg. From spiked 10-mg hair samples absolute recoveries between 0.04 and 5.7% were found. These recoveries decreased considerably if larger sample amounts were used, perhaps due to increased drug solubility in the aqueous phase or to elevated viscosity in the presence of dissolved hair proteins. Because of the phenolic hydroxyl group a change of pH after alkaline hair digestion (by adding excess orthophosphoric acid) was necessary for the detection of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC), cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD) by HS-SPME. Nevertheless, the detection limits were such that only CBN could be detected in hair of a consumer. Clomethiazole, a compound hydrolysed in alkali, was measured by HS-SPME after extraction with aqueous buffer. The detection limit was 0.5 ng/mg. Cocaine could not be detected by HS-SPME. The application of HS-SPME to hair samples from several forensic and clinical cases is described.

Quantification of amphetamine plasma concentrations by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

We developed a fast and sensitive method for identification and quantification of plasma concentrations of amphetamine using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS). Amphetamine-d8 served as internal standard. The method involves a single extraction procedure and an easy treatment of the samples that allowed no losses during the evaporation process. Derivatisation of amphetamine with N-methyl-bis(trifluoroacetamide), a potent acylating agent, provides many advantages to the method compared with common derivatisation reactions usually used for amphetamines. The limits of detection and quantification following this method were 0.43 and 1.42 ng/ml, respectively. The assay has been successfully employed in the quantification of amphetamine in plasma samples from healthy volunteers at four different doses.

Automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction-liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the determination of ranitidine

The technique of automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) was evaluated for the determination of ranitidine. In-tube SPME is an extraction technique for organic compounds in aqueous samples, in which analytes are extracted from the sample directly into an open tubular capillary column by repeated aspirate/dispense steps. In order to optimize the extraction of ranitidine, several in-tube SPME parameters such as capillary column stationary phase, extraction pH and number and volume of aspirate/dispense steps were investigated. The optimum extraction conditions for ranitidine from aqueous samples were 10 aspirate/dispense steps of 30 microliters of sample in 25 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.5) with an Omegawax 250 capillary column (60 cm x 0.25 mm I.D., 0.25 micron film thickness). The ranitidine extracted on the capillary column was easily desorbed with methanol, and then transported to the Supelcosil LC-CN column with the mobile phase methanol-2-propanol-5 M ammonium acetate (50:50:1). The ranitidine eluted from the column was determined by ESI-MS in selected ion monitoring mode. In-tube SPME followed by LC-ESI-MS was performed automatically using the HP 1100 autosampler. Each analysis required 16 min, and carryover of ranitidine in this system was below 1%. The calibration curve of ranitidine in the range of 5-1000 ng/ml was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 (n = 24), and a detection limit at a signal-to-noise ratio of three was ca. 1.4 ng/ml. The within-day and between-day variations in ranitidine analysis were 2.5 and 6.2% (n = 5), respectively. This method was also applied for the analyses of tablet and urine samples.